Community
19 June, 2025
$1 million donated
THE Terang Community Op Shop has surpassed an incredible $1 million in total donations made to the community.
The volunteers behind the project were all smiles last week after the latest figures showed Terang Resources INC, the operating body behind the Terang Community Op Shop, had surpassed more than $1 million in donations since the doors first opened to the Mudbrick Centre in December 2009.
Terang Community Op Shop project manager Andrea Balcombe said it was a proud achievement for all involved.
“It’s really terrific – it’s one of those things where we set a goal, and to reach it is just incredible,” she said.
“Particularly during all the lockdowns, we had slowed right down so we should have reached this milestone a long time ago, but we got there.
“It’s terrific to go around the town and you can see where a lot of this money has gone to, and what good it’s done to a lot of groups and organisations in the community.”
Ms Balcombe has been a volunteer since the Op Shop first opened its doors more than 15 years ago, during which time the number of donations to various groups, causes and even individuals in times of need have become far too exhaustive to list.
“We’ve given to sporting clubs, the hospital, the schools, nursing homes and other community organisations such as the Terang Returned and Services League sub-branch,” she said.
“We’ve supported different community concerts and events such as the Country Music Festival and Terang Gift.
“Pretty much anything that’s happening around Terang is something we’ve supported in one way or another.
“And it’s all been local with the exception of a $1000 donation to the Royal Children’s Hospital every year and the Peter’s Project because these medical services benefit our community too.”
Ms Balcombe said a point of pride has been the community-driven nature of the project across all aspects.
“It’s a fabulous milestone, but it’s important to recognise the contribution of the entire community,” she said.
“If people didn’t donate to us or people didn’t volunteer, we couldn’t have raised all these funds to give back.”
Among the volunteers who have remained a dedicated presence to supporting the community is Margaret Parnell, who has also been a volunteer since the Op Shop first opened.
“It’s hard to put into words,” she said.
“I volunteer because I like it, and I like the people I work with.
“You’re giving back to your community, to other people.
“I’m reminded of late volunteer Peter Gleeson, who when we started asked where all the stuff was going to come from.
“We laugh now because it’s just been coming in ever since, and I wish he was here to share the moment.”
Ms Balcombe said Mr Gleeson was among a number of volunteers who were no longer here to celebrate the milestone, but had been just as influential in helping the small group go on to achieve so much.
“It’s sad there are so many not here to see us reach this milestone,” she said.
“We’d love to have more volunteers so we could open more hours, but every Op Shop and organisation is struggling for volunteers.
“But some of our volunteers are now in their 80s, so it would be wonderful to see younger people coming through to volunteer.
“But we will continue on as long as we can.”
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